1st Battalion Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery
Encyclopedia
The 1st Battalion of Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery was a unit that served in the Union Army
during the American Civil War
. It was organized from several unattached companies of heavy artillery already raised and mustered into a three-year service for the defenses of the Massachusetts
coast.
The 1st Unattached Company was formed in February 1862 for the garrisoning of Fort Warren
in Boston Harbor
. They remained here until 24 December 1864, when ordered to Champlain, New York due to "trouble being feared on the Canadian border". They returned to Fort Warren on 13 May 1865, and were mustered out on 20 October. Captain Stephen Cabot of this company would become the major of the battalion.
Company B
The 2nd Unattached Company was organized in October and November 1862, joining the 1st in garrison duty at Fort Warren. In July 1863, when a draft riot broke out in Boston
, they were sent to restore order. In August, they were stationed to the fort at Clark's Point, New Bedford
, and remained there until its mustering out on 29 June 1865.
Company C
The 4th Unattached, being mustered in on 22 April 1863, then became Company C when the battalion was formed that month. They were also stationed at Fort Warren during most of their term of service. During the Boston draft in July, the company was sent there to maintain order, except for a detachment that went to Concord, New Hampshire
to assist in keeping order during the draft taking place there, and stayed until September. The company was mustered out on 20 October 1865.
Company D
The battalion being formed by the three mentioned unattached companies at the end of April 1863, they were later joined by the 5th Unattached Co. after it was mustered in on 6 June 1863 and became Company D.
The four previously unattached companies were three-year units, and two additional companies (Co's E + F) were subsequently raised in August 1864 for one-year terms. Except where mentioned previously, the companies were all stationed at forts in Boston Harbor, with detachments from them being sent to other military locations along the coast.
Three of the companies were mustered out in June 1865, while the rest of the battalion stayed in service until September and October.
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. It was organized from several unattached companies of heavy artillery already raised and mustered into a three-year service for the defenses of the Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
coast.
History
Company AThe 1st Unattached Company was formed in February 1862 for the garrisoning of Fort Warren
Fort Warren
Fort Warren may refer to:*Fort Warren *Fort Warren *Fort Warren *Francis E. Warren Air Force Base...
in Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor is a natural harbor and estuary of Massachusetts Bay, and is located adjacent to the city of Boston, Massachusetts. It is home to the Port of Boston, a major shipping facility in the northeast.-History:...
. They remained here until 24 December 1864, when ordered to Champlain, New York due to "trouble being feared on the Canadian border". They returned to Fort Warren on 13 May 1865, and were mustered out on 20 October. Captain Stephen Cabot of this company would become the major of the battalion.
Company B
The 2nd Unattached Company was organized in October and November 1862, joining the 1st in garrison duty at Fort Warren. In July 1863, when a draft riot broke out in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, they were sent to restore order. In August, they were stationed to the fort at Clark's Point, New Bedford
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
, and remained there until its mustering out on 29 June 1865.
The 4th Unattached, being mustered in on 22 April 1863, then became Company C when the battalion was formed that month. They were also stationed at Fort Warren during most of their term of service. During the Boston draft in July, the company was sent there to maintain order, except for a detachment that went to Concord, New Hampshire
Concord, New Hampshire
The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....
to assist in keeping order during the draft taking place there, and stayed until September. The company was mustered out on 20 October 1865.
Company D
The battalion being formed by the three mentioned unattached companies at the end of April 1863, they were later joined by the 5th Unattached Co. after it was mustered in on 6 June 1863 and became Company D.
The four previously unattached companies were three-year units, and two additional companies (Co's E + F) were subsequently raised in August 1864 for one-year terms. Except where mentioned previously, the companies were all stationed at forts in Boston Harbor, with detachments from them being sent to other military locations along the coast.
Three of the companies were mustered out in June 1865, while the rest of the battalion stayed in service until September and October.